Setback for weir group

Campaigners for a floating weir to generate electricity on the river in Bridgnorth have vowed to press ahead with the plans despite a lack of public support.

The scheme aims to use new technology on the River Severn to power lights to illuminate the Low Town bridge.

But Councillor Brian Jones, chairman of the Low Town Action Group, said he had received a lack of support from people who live in the area.

"We have not progressed very far but we are still looking to get the scheme set up," he said.

"We want to generate electricity to power lights on the bridge but people in Low Town don't seem interested in having a weir.

"I think more discussion needs to take place as I feel many of them have said they don't want it without really knowing what we are trying to do."

Councillor Jones added: "We are in the very early stages. There are a lot of things we need to look at before it could go ahead."

Councillor Jones said the idea had come from a restoration group, which was planning to install weirs on other parts of the River Severn.

He said: "A group called the Severn Navigation Restoration Trust is looking at installing weirs at Bewdley and Worcester. If it is feasible then we want them to expand up here. We need a weir to generate electricity.

"The water flowing over the weir would generate electricity which could then be used to power lights to illuminate the bridge.

"I am hoping we can get people from the trust to come over and talk to people in the future.

"It could be that the idea is a non-starter for a number of reasons including a lack of funding but we are determined to keep going. We will look for alternative options if we have to."

Councillor Jones said the issue could be discussed at a meeting of the action group tonight.

Floating weirs are made of durable plastic filled with air. This makes them cheaper to run and less intrusive than traditional concrete weirs.

The Low Town Action Group will meet at the Low Town Community Hall tonight. The meeting starts at 7.30pm.

By Dani Webb